Luftsack, vorzugsweise OPW-Luftsack, für ein Fahrzeug, Luftsackanordnung, Luftsackauslösevorrichtung und Verfahren zum Auslösen eines Luftsacks

Abstract

The invention relates to an airbag which is configured to be set from an uninflated state into an inflated state by an inflation operation to protect an occupant of a vehicle, the airbag comprising at least two fabric layers which are connected to one another in such a way that at least a first airbag chamber and a second airbag chamber being separate from the first airbag chamber are formed. According to the invention, it is further provided that the fabric layers are connected to one another so that the first airbag chamber and the second airbag chamber can be set independently of each other from the uninflated state thereof into the inflated state thereof, respectively, and the first airbag chamber, starting from uninflated state thereof, curves outwardly during a first inflation operation of the first airbag chamber and/or forms a tubular shape with an oval or circular cross-section at least in portions in the inflated state of the first airbag chamber, and thereby an overlapping portion, preferably an outer overlapping portion, of the second airbag chamber in the uninflated state thereof or in the inflated state thereof overlaps, preferably radially overlaps, an overlapping portion, preferably an inner overlapping portion, of the first airbag chamber.

Claims

1. An airbag, preferably a one-piece woven (OPW) airbag, which is configured to be set from an uninflated state to an inflated state by an inflation operation to protect an occupant of a vehicle, wherein the airbag has at least two fabric layers, preferably two fabric layers in certain regions and/or three fabric layers in certain regions, which are joined together in such a way that at least a first airbag chamber and a second airbag chamber being separate from the first airbag chamber are formed, wherein the fabric layers are further joined together in such a way that the first airbag chamber, preferably formed as a three-layer chamber, and the second airbag chamber, preferably formed as a two-layer or three-layer chamber, can be set independently of each another from the uninflated state thereof into the inflated state thereof, respectively, and the first airbag chamber, starting from its uninflated state, curves outwardly during a first inflation operation of the first airbag chamber and/or forms a tubular shape with an oval or circular cross-section at least in portions in the inflated state of the first airbag chamber, and thereby an overlapping portion (A.sub.outer), preferably an outer overlapping portion, of the second airbag chamber in the uninflated state thereof or in the inflated state thereof overlaps, preferably radially overlaps, an overlapping portion (A.sub.inner), preferably an inner overlapping portion, of the first airbag chamber.

2. The airbag according to claim 1, wherein the fabric layers are joined together in such a way that the outer overlapping portion (A.sub.outer) of the second airbag chamber in the uninflated state radially overlaps with the inner overlapping portion (A.sub.inner) of the first airbag chamber in the inflated state and/or curves outwardly during a second inflation operation of the second airbag chamber or extends along the inner overlapping portion (A.sub.inner) of the first airbag chamber in the inflated state and thereby radially overlaps with the inner overlapping portion (A.sub.inner) of the first airbag chamber in the inflated state and/or forms a radial outer tube wall portion or hollow cylinder wall portion with respect to the radial inner overlapping portion (A.sub.inner) of the first airbag chamber in the inflated state.

3. The airbag according to claim 1, wherein the first airbag chamber has a plurality of interconnected first longitudinal airbag chambers with respective first airbag chamber volumes which, in the inflated state, are arranged next to one another in the circumferential direction and/or extend axially, transversely, obliquely or helically, and/or the second airbag chamber has a single longitudinal airbag chamber or a plurality of interconnected second longitudinal airbag chambers with respective second airbag chamber volumes, which, in the inflated state, are arranged next to one another in the circumferential direction and/or extend axially, transversely, obliquely or helically and/or the plurality of the first longitudinal airbag chambers is arranged in the circumferential direction next to the single longitudinal airbag chamber or the plurality of the second longitudinal airbag chambers.

4. The airbag according to claim 3, wherein the first airbag chamber volumes of the first longitudinal airbag chambers are formed smaller than, equal to or larger than the second airbag chamber volumes of the second longitudinal airbag chambers.

5. The airbag according to claim 3, wherein the first longitudinal airbag chambers and/or the second longitudinal airbag chambers are formed tubular or at least in portions hollow cylindrical or in the shape of an elliptical hollow cylinder.

6. The airbag according to claim 3, wherein the airbag comprises three fabric layers at least in portions, namely a first fabric layer, a third fabric layer and a second fabric layer arranged therebetween, wherein the three fabric layers are woven together so that in a region (LKB) forming the first airbag chamber, first longitudinal airbag chambers extending in the axial direction and radially offset from one another are formed between the first fabric layer and the second fabric layer and the third fabric layer and the second fabric layer and/or in a region forming the second airbag chamber, second longitudinal airbag chambers extending in the axial direction and radially offset from one another are formed between the first fabric layer and the second fabric layer and the third fabric layer and the second fabric layer, which, during their respective inflation operations, cause an outward curvature at least in portions.

7. The airbag according to claim 3, wherein the airbag comprises three fabric layers at least in portions, namely a first fabric layer, a third fabric layer and a second fabric layer arranged therebetween, wherein the three fabric layers are woven together so that in a region (LKB) forming the first airbag chamber, first longitudinal airbag chambers extending in the axial direction and radially offset relative to one another are formed between the first fabric layer and the second fabric layer and the third fabric layer and the second fabric layer, while only two fabric layers in a region forming the second airbag chamber form one or more second longitudinal airbag chambers extending in the axial direction between the first fabric layer and the third fabric layer.

8. The airbag according to claim 1, wherein the first airbag chamber is connected to a region which forms a first generator mouth for receiving a first gas generator or a first connection region for connecting a first gas generator, and the second airbag chamber is connected to a region which forms a second generator mouth for receiving a second gas generator, the second generator mouth being separate from the first generator mouth, or a second connection region for connecting a second gas generator, so that the first airbag chamber and the second airbag chamber can be inflated independently of one another via their respective first or second gas generator.

9. The airbag according to-one of the preceding claims claim 1, wherein the airbag is formed as an OPW airbag with warp threads and weft threads woven into the woven fabric layers, wherein the warp threads and weft threads are woven together in such a way that the airbag (10) has a first partial region (ETB) and a second partial region (ZTB) as well as a region (LKB) forming the first airbag chamber (14), wherein the first partial region (ETB) is arranged between the region (LKB) forming the first airbag chamber (14) and the second sub-region (ZTB), wherein the warp threads and weft threads in the second partial region (ZTB) are woven together in such a way that the second partial region (ZTB) has at least one generator mouth for receiving a gas generator for filling the airbag or a connection for connecting a generator and is configured in two layers, wherein the warp threads and weft threads in the region (LKB) forming the first airbag chamber are woven together in such a way that the region (LKB) forming the first airbag chamber has the plurality of first longitudinal airbag chambers and is configured in three layers, and wherein the warp threads and weft threads of the second fabric layer emerge from the second fabric layer in the first partial region (ETB) and float completely between the first fabric layer and the third fabric layer and are incorporated into the first fabric layer and/or into the third fabric layer in the second partial region (ZTB).

10. An airbag arrangement comprising: an airbag according to claim 1, and at least two gas generators that can be activated independently of each other, wherein a first generator of the two gas generators is received or connected in the first generator mouth or the first connection region of the first airbag chamber and a second generator of the two gas generators is received or connected in the second generator mouth or the second connection region of the second airbag chamber.

11. An airbag deployment apparatus for deploying an airbag comprising a control apparatus and an airbag arrangement according to claim 10, wherein the control apparatus is configured to activate the first generator to fill the first air chamber and is further configured to activate the second generator to fill the second air chamber when the first generator has already been activated and a predetermined condition has been met, preferably a predetermined time has elapsed.

12. A method of deploying an airbag arrangement according to claim 10, comprising the following steps: activating the first generator to fill the first air chamber of the airbag, and activating the second generator to fill the second air chamber of the airbag, at the same time or after the first generator has already been activated.

Description

[0071] Preferred embodiments of the invention are explained below by way of example with reference to the figures.

[0072] These show:

[0073] FIG. 1a) a schematic representation of an airbag according to a first embodiment of the invention in a cross-sectional view in a state in which a first airbag chamber is inflated and a second airbag chamber is uninflated;

[0074] FIG. 1b) a schematic representation of the airbag according to the invention of FIG. 1a) in a cross-sectional view in a state in which both the first airbag chamber is inflated and the second airbag chamber is inflated;

[0075] FIG. 2) a schematic representation of the airbag according to the invention of FIG. 1 a) in the deployed or spread-out state in a plan view;

[0076] FIG. 3a) a schematic representation of an airbag according to the invention according to a second embodiment in a cross-sectional view in a state in which the first airbag chamber is inflated and the second airbag chamber is inflated with only a single second longitudinal airbag chamber;

[0077] FIG. 3b) a schematic representation of the airbag according to the invention of FIG. 3a) in the deployed or spread-out state in a plan view;

[0078] FIG. 4a) a schematic representation of an airbag according to the invention according to a third embodiment in a cross-sectional view in a state in which the first airbag chamber is inflated and the second airbag chamber is inflated with two second longitudinal airbag chambers;

[0079] FIG. 4b) a schematic representation of the airbag according to the invention of FIG. 4a) in the deployed or spread-out state in a plan view;

[0080] FIG. 5a) a schematic representation of an airbag according to the invention according to a fourth embodiment in a cross-sectional view in a state in which the first airbag chamber is inflated and the second airbag chamber is inflated with a plurality of second longitudinal airbag chambers;

[0081] FIG. 5b) a schematic top view of the airbag according to the invention of FIG. 5a) in the deployed or spread-out state.

[0082] In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, the airbag or gas bag 10 according to the invention is manufactured as an OPW airbag, i.e. it is a so-called one piece woven airbag 10, i.e. an airbag 10 woven in one piece.

[0083] In the specific application, the airbag 10 in this embodiment example is configured as a front airbag and is accordingly provided behind an instrument panel, not shown in detail, in front of the front passenger in a conventional manner not described in detail here. Alternatively, the airbag 10 according to the invention can also be used, for example, to protect occupants in the field of autonomous driving.

[0084] The airbag 10 according to the invention is configured to be set from an uninflated state, such as a folded or collapsed state, to an inflated state, in which the airbag can develop its protective effect for the occupant, in a conventional manner by means of an inflation operation in order to protect an occupant of a vehicle such as a motor vehicle or commercial vehicle. In other words, the airbag 10 is deployed from the uninflated state to the inflated state in the conventional manner in response to activation of an inflation device not shown in the figures, which in this case has two gas generators that are activated, for example, when a vehicle collision or similar is detected.

[0085] As shown only schematically in FIGS. 1 and 2, the airbag 10 has several fabric layers 11, 12, 13 for this purpose, which are explained in more detail below, with two fabric layers lying on top of one another in one or more regions of the airbag 10 and three fabric layers lying on top of one another in one or more regions, which will be discussed in more detail later.

[0086] The fabric layers 11, 12, 13 are connected to each other in such a way that in this case a first airbag chamber 14 (in detail first longitudinal airbag chambers 14.sub.1, 14.sub.2, 14.sub.3) and a second airbag chamber 24 (in detail second longitudinal airbag chambers 24.sub.1, 24.sub.2, 24.sub.3, 24.sub.4) separate from the first airbag chamber 14 are formed. The first airbag chamber 14 and the second airbag chamber 24 are not connected to each other in terms of flow.

[0087] In other words, the airbag 10 is formed as an OPW airbag with warp threads running in the warp direction K and weft threads running in the weft direction S (see for example FIG. 2warp and weft directions can alternatively be reversed), which are inserted into the woven fabric layers 11, 12, 13 to form the first airbag chamber 14 and the second airbag chamber 24, wherein a woven seam 22, in which the woven fabric layers 11, 12, 13 are combined to form a single layer, separates the first airbag chamber 14 and the second airbag chamber 24 from one another. Accordingly, the airbag 10 has first and second airbag chambers 14, 24 that can be filled independently of one another.

[0088] In this context, the fabric layers 11, 12, 13 are further connected with one another such that the first airbag chamber 14 is three-layered and the second airbag chamber 24 is preferably two-layered or alternatively three-layered, wherein the first and second airbag chambers 14, 24 can be moved independently of each other from their respective uninflated states to their respective inflated states.

[0089] Furthermore, the fabric layers 11, 12, 13 are connected to each other in such a way that the first airbag chamber 14, starting from its uninflated state, curves outwards during a first inflation operation of the first airbag chamber 14 and then forms, at least in portions, a tubular shape or hollow cylindrical shape with an essentially circular or oval cross-section in the inflated state of the first airbag chamber 14.

[0090] In this case, an outer overlapping portion A.sub.outer of the second airbag chamber 24 in its uninflated state or in its inflated state overlaps with inner overlapping portion A.sub.inner of the first airbag chamber 14 in the radial direction, as can be seen in particular in FIG. 1.

[0091] FIG. 1a) shows a schematic representation of the airbag 10 according to the invention according to the first embodiment in a cross-sectional view in a state in which the first airbag chamber 14 is inflated and the second airbag chamber 24 is uninflated, whereas FIG. 1b) shows a schematic representation of the airbag 10 according to the invention of FIG. 1a) in a cross-sectional view in a state in which both the first airbag chamber 14 and the second airbag chamber 24 are inflated. Furthermore, FIG. 2) shows a schematic representation of the airbag 10 according to the invention of FIG. 1 a) in the deployed or spread-out state in a plan view.

[0092] As can be seen further in FIGS. 1 and 2, the outer overlapping portion A.sub.outer Of the second airbag chamber 24, which is in the uninflated state, overlaps radially with the inner overlapping portion A.sub.inner of the first airbag chamber 14, which is in the inflated state (FIG. 1 a)). Furthermore, during a second inflation operation of the second airbag chamber 24, outer overlapping portion A.sub.inner curves outwards and extends along the inner overlapping portion A.sub.inner of the first airbag chamber 14 in the inflated state, radially overlapping with the inner overlapping portion A.sub.inner of the first airbag chamber 14 in the inflated state. As a result, the outer overlapping portion A.sub.outer forms a radially outer tube wall portion or hollow cylinder wall portion in relation to the radially inner overlapping portion A.sub.inner the first airbag chamber 14 in the inflated state.

[0093] As can be seen in FIG. 1 in particular and is indicated by an arrow, the overlapping portions A.sub.outer and A.sub.outer are defined as an area in which the first airbag chamber 14 and the second airbag chamber 16 overlap in the radial direction along the circumferential direction of the airbag.

[0094] As can also be seen in particular from FIGS. 1a) and 1b), the first airbag chamber 14 has a plurality of fluidically interconnected first longitudinal airbag chambers 14.sub.1, 14.sub.2, 14.sub.3 with respective first airbag chamber volumes which, in the inflated state, are arranged next to one another in the circumferential direction and extend axially.

[0095] Furthermore, in this case, the second airbag chamber 24 has a plurality of interconnected second longitudinal airbag chambers 24.sub.1, 24.sub.2, 24.sub.3, 24.sub.4 with respective second airbag chamber volumes which, in the inflated state, are arranged next to each other in the circumferential direction and extend axially.

[0096] Moreover, it can be seen in FIGS. 1a) and 1b) that the plurality of or group of the first longitudinal airbag chambers 14.sub.1, 14.sub.2, 14.sub.3 is arranged in circumferential direction next to the plurality of or group of the second longitudinal airbag chambers 24.sub.1, 24.sub.2, 24.sub.3, 24.sub.4. In this embodiment, the respective first airbag chamber volumes of the first longitudinal airbag chambers 14.sub.1, 14.sub.2, 14.sub.3 are smaller than the respective second airbag chamber volumes of the second longitudinal airbag chambers 24.sub.1, 24.sub.2, 24.sub.3, 24.sub.4 with the same longitudinal extension (warp direction in FIG. 2).

[0097] Furthermore, it can be seen from FIGS. 1a) and 1b that the first longitudinal airbag chambers 14.sub.1, 14.sub.2, 14.sub.3 and the second longitudinal airbag chambers 24.sub.1, 24.sub.2, 24.sub.3, 24.sub.4 are essentially hollow-cylindrical or in the form of an elliptical hollow cylinder.

[0098] In the deployed or spread-out state of the air bag 10 shown in FIG. 2, it can be seen that the air bag 10 in this state, i.e. with layers of fabric lying on top of each other, has an essentially rectangular shape, which essentially corresponds to the lateral surface of the hollow cylinder, the region with the first airbag chamber 14 is adjoined by a region with a first generator mouth 18 for receiving a first gas generator not shown here and the region of the second airbag chamber 24 is adjoined by a region with a second generator mouth 20 separate from the first generator mouth 18 for receiving a second gas generator not shown here, so that the first airbag chamber 14 and the second airbag chamber 24 can be inflated independently of one another via the respective first or second gas generator.

[0099] Together with two gas generators, which can be activated independently of one another and are not shown in this case, the airbag 10 forms an airbag arrangement according to the invention, wherein a first generator of the two gas generators is accommodated in the first generator mouth 18 and a second generator of the two gas generators is accommodated in the second generator mouth 20. The respective generators are designed differently with regard to their filling behavior. Thus, the first generator connected to the generator mouth 18 can generate a larger volume flow than the second generator connected to the generator mouth 20 if the first airbag chamber 14 has a larger volume than the second airbag chamber 24.

[0100] To activate the generators, a control apparatus not shown is provided in addition to the airbag arrangement, which together form an airbag deployment apparatus configured to deploy the airbag 10. The control apparatus not shown in this case is configured to activate the first generator to fill the first air chamber 14, and is further configured to activate the second generator to fill the second air chamber 24 if the first generator has already been activated and a predetermined condition has been met, which in this case is the elapse of a predetermined time. However, the control apparatus can also activate both generators simultaneously if necessary.

[0101] Accordingly, one mode of operation of the airbag arrangement, namely deploying the airbag arrangement, is as follows:

[0102] First, the first generator is activated to fill the first air chamber 14 of the airbag 10, whereby the first longitudinal airbag chambers 14.sub.1, 14.sub.2, 14.sub.3 are set to their inflated state, thereby reaching the first stage of the inflation height of the airbag 10.

[0103] Subsequently, i.e. after a predetermined time has elapsed, or simultaneously, depending on the type of vehicle collision, for example the extent of the acceleration values detected, the second generator is activated to fill the second air chamber 24 of the airbag 10. This also fills the outer overlapping portion A.sub.outer of the second airbag chamber 24, whereby the second longitudinal airbag chambers 24.sub.1, 24.sub.2, 24.sub.3, 24.sub.4 arranged in the outer overlapping portion A.sub.outer are placed in their inflated state, thereby achieving the second stage of the inflation height of the airbag 10.

[0104] The basic structure of the airbag 10 has been described above.

[0105] In order to achieve the aforementioned chamber structure comprising the first airbag chamber 14 with its first longitudinal airbag chambers 14.sub.1, 14.sub.2, 14.sub.3 and the second airbag chamber 24 with its second longitudinal airbag chambers 24.sub.1, 24.sub.2, 24.sub.3, 24.sub.4, the airbag 10 is structured from the aforementioned superimposed fabric layers 11, 12, 13, which specifically can be woven into three fabric layers in an area LKB of the airbag 10 forming the first airbag chamber 14 and can be woven into two or three fabric layers in another area forming the second airbag chamber 24.

[0106] The specific structure of the airbag 10 with regard to the chamber structure achieved by interweaving the respective fabric layers is explained in more detail with reference to the embodiments described below.

[0107] FIG. 3a) shows a schematic representation of an airbag 10 according to the invention according to a second embodiment in a cross-sectional view in a state in which the first airbag chamber 14, 16 is at least partially inflated with a plurality of longitudinal airbag chambers and the second airbag chamber 24 is at least partially inflated with a single longitudinal airbag chamber. FIG. 3b) shows a schematic top view of the airbag 10 according to the invention of FIG. 3a) in the deployed or spread-out state.

[0108] As can be seen from FIG. 3a and FIG. 3b, the airbag 10 has three fabric layers 11, 12, 13 in the region LKB forming the first airbag chamber 14, namely a lower or first fabric layer 11, an upper or third fabric layer 13 and a middle or second fabric layer 12 arranged therebetween, the three fabric layers 11, 12, 13 being interwoven in such a way that in the region LKB forming the first airbag chamber 14 the first longitudinal airbag chambers 14.sub.1, 14.sub.2, 14.sub.3 und 16.sub.1, 16.sub.2, . . . , 16.sub.8 extending in the axial direction and arranged next to one another in the circumferential direction are formed. In particular, the first (inner) longitudinal air bag chambers 16.sub.1, 16.sub.2, . . . , 16.sub.8 are formed between the lower/inner fabric layer 11 and the middle fabric layer 12 and the first (outer) longitudinal air bag chambers 14.sub.1, 14.sub.2, 14.sub.3, 14.sub.BK, . . . are formed between the upper/outer fabric layer 13 and the middle fabric layer 12.

[0109] As can further be seen from FIG. 3a, the first (inner) longitudinal airbag chambers 16.sub.1, 16.sub.2, . . . , 16.sub.8 are offset radially relative to the first (outer) longitudinal airbag chambers 14.sub.1, 14.sub.2, 14.sub.3, 14.sub.BK, . . . i.e. offset radially further inwards. In this embodiment example, three of the first (outer) longitudinal airbag chambers 14.sub.1, 14.sub.2, 14.sub.3 are each radially covered by one of the first (outer) longitudinal airbag chambers 14.sub.1, 14.sub.2, 14.sub.3, 14.sub.BK, wherein a respective first (outer) longitudinal airbag chamber 14.sub.BK (also called longitudinal airbag bridging chamber) connects two adjacent ones of the first (inner) longitudinal airbag chambers 16.sub.1, 16.sub.2, . . . , in circumferential direction.

[0110] On the basis of this chamber structure of the first inner and outer longitudinal airbag chambers 14.sub.1, 14.sub.2, 14.sub.3 und 16.sub.1, 16.sub.2, . . . , 16.sub.8, a very rigid and stable outwardly curved structure of the airbag 10 is created in the inflated state, which forms a hollow cylinder or tube with an almost circular ring-shaped or oval hollow cylinder cross-section.

[0111] As can also be seen in FIG. 3a), the fabric layers 11, 12, 13 are woven into a single woven seam WN in an intermediate region between the region LKB forming the first airbag chamber 14, 16 and the region forming the second airbag chamber 24, which in the region forming the second airbag chamber 24 again merges into two fabric layers 11 and 13, a lower/inner fabric layer 11 and an upper/outer fabric layer 13, which are woven together in such a way that in the region forming the second airbag chamber 24 the second airbag chamber 24 forms a single second longitudinal airbag chamber extending in the axial direction between the lower/inner fabric layer 11 and the upper/outer fabric layer 13. In this case, the region forming the second airbag chamber 24 with the second longitudinal airbag chamber forms the outer overlapping portion A.sub.outer while the radially more inwardly located portion of the region LKB forming the first airbag chamber 14, 16 forms the inner overlapping portion A.sub.inner, as indicated in FIG. 3a.

[0112] As can also be seen in FIG. 3a), a start and end of the outer overlapping portion A.sub.outer can optionally be connected to a start and end of the inner overlapping portion A.sub.inner, for example via a fixing seam FN, which is only schematically indicated. Among other things, this serves to stabilize the airbag 10 when both the first airbag chamber 14, 16 and the second airbag chamber 24 are placed in their inflated state.

[0113] As further illustrated in FIG. 3b, the airbag 10 has a first partial region ETB and a second partial region ZTB as well as a region LKB forming the first airbag chamber 14, wherein the first partial region ETB is arranged between the region LKB forming the first airbag chamber 14 and the second partial region ZTB.

[0114] The warp threads and weft threads in the second partial region ZTB are woven together in such a way that the second partial region ZTB forms the generator mouth 18 for receiving a gas generator for filling the airbag and is formed in two layers, the warp threads and weft threads in the region LKB forming the first airbag-forming chamber 14, 16 being woven together in such a way that this has the first airbag chamber 14, 16 and is formed in three layers. The warp threads and weft threads of the second fabric layer 12 emerge from the second fabric layer 12 in the first partial region ETB and float completely between the first fabric layer 11 and the third fabric layer 13 and are incorporated into the first fabric layer 11 or the third fabric layer 13 in the second partial region ZTB.

[0115] FIG. 4a) shows a schematic representation of an airbag 10 according to the invention according to a third embodiment in a cross-sectional view in a state in which the first airbag chamber 14, 16 is inflated and the second airbag chamber 24 is inflated with two second longitudinal airbag chambers 241 and 242. FIG. 4b) shows a schematic representation of the airbag 10 of the invention of FIG. 4a) in the deployed or spread-out state in a plan view. In the description of this third embodiment, in order to avoid repetition, only the differences to the second embodiment explained above are discussed, with the same or similar components being designated with the same reference signs.

[0116] In this embodiment example, the region forming the second airbag chamber 24 is formed in two layers, the fabric layers 11 and 13as can be seen mainly in FIG. 4a being woven together in such a way that two second longitudinal airbag chambers 24.sub.1 und 24.sub.2 are formed in the second region, which are arranged next to one another in the circumferential direction and are spaced apart from one another by a woven seam 24.sub.WN.

[0117] FIG. 5a) shows a schematic representation of an airbag 10 according to the invention according to a fourth embodiment in a cross-sectional view in a state in which the first airbag chamber 14, 16 is inflated and the second airbag chamber 24 with a plurality of longitudinal airbag chambers is inflated. FIG. 5b) shows a schematic top view of the airbag 10 of FIG. 5a) according to the invention in the deployed or spread-out state. In the description of this fourth embodiment, in order to avoid repetition, only the differences to the second embodiment explained above are discussed, with the same or similar components being designated with the same reference signs.

[0118] In this embodiment example, the region forming the second airbag chamber 24 is formed in three layers, whereinas it is mainly apparent from FIG. 5athe fabric layers 11, 12 and 13 are woven together in such a way that four second upper longitudinal airbag chambers 24.sub.10, 24.sub.20, 24.sub.30 and 24.sub.40 arranged next to one another in the circumferential direction are formed in the second region, spaced apart by upper woven seams 24.sub.OWN, and on the other side, in relation to the middle fabric layer, two second lower longitudinal airbag chambers 24.sub.12u und 24.sub.34u are formed which are arranged next to one another, are spaced apart from one another by a woven seam 24.sub.WN and each cover two of the second upper longitudinal airbag chambers 24.sub.10, 24.sub.20, 24.sub.30 and 24.sub.40 in the radial direction.

[0119] The features of the invention which are disclosed in the above description, in the drawings and in the claims may be essential for implementing the invention both individually and in any desired combination.

REFERENCE SIGNS

[0120] 10 airbag [0121] 11 first/lower/outer fabric layer [0122] 12 second/middle fabric layer [0123] 13 third/upper/inner fabric layer [0124] 14 first (outer) airbag chamber [0125] 14.sub.1 first (outer) longitudinal airbag chamber [0126] 14.sub.2 first (outer) longitudinal airbag chamber [0127] 14.sub.3 first (outer) longitudinal airbag chamber [0128] 14.sub.BK First (outer) longitudinal airbag chamber (longitudinal bridge chamber) [0129] 16.sub.1 first (inner) longitudinal airbag chambers [0130] 16 first (inner) longitudinal airbag chambers [0131] 16.sub.3 first (inner) longitudinal airbag chambers [0132] 16.sub.4 first (inner) longitudinal airbag chambers [0133] 16.sub.5 first (inner) longitudinal airbag chambers [0134] 16.sub.6first (inner) longitudinal airbag chambers [0135] 16.sub.7 first (inner) longitudinal airbag chambers [0136] 16.sub.8 first (inner) longitudinal airbag chambers [0137] 18 first generator mouth [0138] 20 second generator mouth [0139] 22 edge or peripheral woven seam [0140] 24 second airbag chamber [0141] 24.sub.1 second longitudinal airbag chambers [0142] 24.sub.2 second longitudinal airbag chambers [0143] 24.sub.3 second longitudinal airbag chambers [0144] 24.sub.4 second longitudinal airbag chambers [0145] 24.sub.WN woven seam between second longitudinal airbag chambers [0146] 24.sub.OWN woven seam between upper second longitudinal airbag chambers [0147] 24.sub.10 second upper longitudinal airbag chambers [0148] 24.sub.20 second upper longitudinal airbag chambers [0149] 24.sub.30 second upper longitudinal airbag chambers [0150] 24.sub.40 second upper longitudinal airbag chambers [0151] 24.sub.12u second lower longitudinal airbag chambers [0152] 24.sub.34u second lower longitudinal airbag chambers [0153] B transition region [0154] S weft direction [0155] K warp direction [0156] WN woven seam [0157] FN fixing seam [0158] A.sub.outer outer overlapping portion [0159] A.sub.inner inner overlapping portion